A U-turn crash can happen in seconds, but the injuries and confusion can last for months. If a driver made an unsafe U-turn and hit you, you may be facing medical bills, lost wages, and an insurance company that does not want to pay.
Lance Bingham helps you pursue fair compensation for your car accident injuries and guides you through the legal process. Call 801-477-8308 for a free case evaluation today.
With nearly 40 years of combined experience, our personal injury attorneys have secured strong settlements and verdicts for car accident victims across Utah. As an established personal injury law firm, we prepare every car accident case as if it may go to trial, which gives us leverage when negotiating with insurance companies.
We are committed to helping injury victims recover fair compensation for serious injuries, lost wages, and medical expenses. Unlike large advertising firms, our car accident attorneys personally handle your claim from start to finish, with no upfront legal fees.
U-turn accidents often involve disputed liability and conflicting driver statements. Both drivers may blame each other, and the at-fault driver's insurance company may try to shift blame onto you to avoid paying your claim.
Early investigation is critical because evidence can disappear quickly. Traffic camera footage gets erased, and witnesses become harder to find as time passes. Our legal team moves fast to protect your personal injury claim and guide you through the legal process so you understand your legal options.
We investigate the accident scene, review the road conditions, and examine how the crash happened. This helps determine whether the U-turn accident was caused by recklessness, distraction, or another factor.
Our team gathers evidence, including police reports, photographs, and details of vehicle damage. This evidence supports your car accident claim and proves what happened.
We analyze traffic laws and driver behavior to determine fault. Utah's U-turn law plays a central role in establishing the at-fault driver's negligence.
Insurance adjusters often try to minimize what they pay. We negotiate firmly with the at-fault party's insurance company to pursue maximum compensation for your insurance claim.
If the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement, we are ready to take your case to trial. Our trial experience strengthens every negotiation we handle.
A U-turn car accident happens when a driver turns a motor vehicle to face the opposite direction and collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, or object during the maneuver.
This type of auto accident often involves a driver who fails to check for oncoming traffic before turning.
U-turn accidents tend to cluster around certain road types. Busy intersections and multi-lane roads create the greatest opportunities for drivers to misjudge oncoming traffic.
Common locations include:
Under Utah Code § 41-6a-802, drivers may only make a U-turn when it can be done safely and without interfering with other traffic. This law also restricts U-turns near curves or hills where other drivers cannot see the turning vehicle in time to react.
A U-turn is generally permitted when the driver has a clear view of oncoming traffic and enough space to complete the turn safely. The driver must yield to other vehicles already using the road.
A U-turn becomes illegal when made on a curve, near the top of a hill, or in a spot where other drivers cannot see the turning vehicle from 500 feet away. An unsafe U-turn that causes a crash often points to the driver's negligence.
A traffic violation tied to an unsafe U-turn can serve as strong evidence of fault. Insurance companies and courts often view a U-turn violation as a sign the driver failed to follow traffic laws.
Liability in a U-turn accident depends on who failed to follow traffic laws. The following sections explain how fault is typically assigned.
A driver who turns without checking for oncoming traffic is often at fault. This is true even if the other vehicle was moving fast, since the turning driver had a duty to yield.
In some cases, the oncoming driver is also at fault. Speeding, distracted driving, or running a red light can shift part of the responsibility onto the other driver.
A U-turn accident can also involve a third vehicle, a pedestrian accident, or even a hit-and-run accident if the at-fault driver flees the scene. When multiple vehicles or parties are involved, our legal team identifies all responsible parties and determines whether your uninsured motorist coverage applies.
Fault is determined using police reports, witness statements, and physical evidence from the accident scene. Our attorneys gather this evidence early to build the strongest possible car accident claim.
U-turn crashes often involve a direct side or front impact, which can lead to severe injuries, including internal injuries that are not visible right away. Common injuries include the following.
Utah law allows injury victims to pursue several types of compensation. The amount depends on the severity of your injuries and how they affect your daily life.
Under Utah Code § 78B-5-818, accident victims may recover compensation if they are less than 50% at fault for the crash. Your percentage of fault reduces your damages, so a driver found 20% responsible would recover 80% of the total award.
Insurance adjusters often try to raise your share of fault to reduce what they pay. Strong evidence helps protect your right to fair compensation.
The right evidence can make a major difference in your car accident claim. Strong evidence often includes the following.
Under Utah Code § 78B-2-307, most personal injury claims in Utah must be filed within four years of the accident. Missing this deadline can mean losing your right to pursue compensation entirely.
Acting early gives your legal team time to gather evidence while it is still fresh. Contacting a car accident lawyer soon after the crash protects your claim.
The steps you take after a U-turn accident can affect your health and your claim. Here is what to do after a crash.
A U-turn accident can turn your life upside down in an instant, leaving you with medical bills, missed work, and an insurance company in no hurry to help. Our team at Lance Bingham is ready to investigate your crash, gather the evidence that proves fault, and deal with the insurance company on your behalf.
We work on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront. Call 801-477-8308 today for a free case evaluation.
Dustin specializes in serious accident and injury cases in Utah and Idaho, practicing in State and Federal Courts. He's recognized as "Utah's Legal Elite," a "Mountain States Rising Star," and a member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. He holds an Avvo Superb Rating and is actively involved in legal associations, serving as a judge pro tempore for the Utah Supreme Court. A Utah native, Dustin earned his degrees from the University of Utah. He lives in Farmington with his wife and three children, enjoying family time, flying, and various outdoor activities.
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